Loader apparatus configured for standing operator control

ABSTRACT

Loader apparatus configured for standing operator control are disclosed. The loader apparatus may include a loader adapted to carry a tool that is moveable between a down position and a vertically raised position. One or more linkages are connected to the first side of the loader support and connected to the loader. The apparatus includes a control station having operator controls for propelling the loader apparatus forward and for raising and lowering the loader. The apparatus includes an operator platform for standing operation of the operator controls of the control station.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 16/270,070, filed Feb. 7,2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/704,685, filed Sep. 14, 2017, which issued Feb. 12, 2019 as U.S. Pat.No. 10,202,266, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/062,801, filed Mar. 7, 2016, which issued May 22, 2018 as U.S.Pat. No. 9,975,750, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/691,649, filed Apr. 21, 2015, which issued Apr. 26, 2016 asU.S. Pat. No. 9,321,386, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/118,860, filed Feb. 20, 2015, each of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The field of the disclosure relates to compact tool carriers having aloader mounted to a low-profile mainframe.

BACKGROUND

Compact tool carriers are tool-mounted machines that are capable ofworking in tight spaces for utility or do-it-yourself home projects.Compact tool carriers are walk-behind units or include a platform onwhich the operator may stand during use. Compact tool carriers aregenerally defined (e.g., ISO 6165 (2012) and SAE J2752) as “aself-propelled crawler or wheeled machine having an operating mass ofless than 1500 kg with a rigid frame, having either a pedestrianoperating position or a standing operator platform at the rear of themachine and either front-mounted interchangeable equipment or lift armswith an attachment bracket capable of coupling to interchangeable,front-mounted attachments.” The tool carriers may be attached to avariety of interchangeable tools such as buckets, augers, forks, stumpgrinders, tillers, rollers and the like.

Compact tool carriers may be distinguished from much larger conventionalskid steers in which an operator is seated in the operating position.Compact tool carriers pose difficulty in design relative to full-sizeskid steers due to variation in weight, complexity and size.

A continuing need exists for compact tool carriers with a relativelylow-profile, compact design and/or that are characterized by a moreeffective loader lifting profile.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which aredescribed and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to behelpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a compact toolcarrier configured for standing or walk-behind operator control. Thecarrier has a mass of less than about 1500 kg and includes a loaderhaving an arm and a linkage pivotally attached to the loader arm. Anactuator is pivotally attached to the loader arm. The carrier includes acontrol station having operator controls for propelling the compact toolcarrier forward and for raising and lowering the loader. The controlstation is configured for remote operation or is mounted toward the rearof the compact tool carrier and is adapted to allow for standing orwalk-behind operation.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a compact toolcarrier. The carrier comprises a loader and a mainframe for supportingthe loader. The mainframe has a first side and a second side with eachside having a top and a bottom. The first side of the mainframe has atleast two pivot points relative to the loader. The carrier includes adrive mechanism comprising tracks or wheels for propelling the apparatusover a supporting surface. The drive mechanism is attached to themainframe about a rotational axis. The compact tool carrier has a bottomat which the drive mechanism contacts the supporting surface. Therotational axis and bottom of the compact tool carrier are separated bya vertical distance D1. The rotational axis and each pivot point areseparated by a vertical distance. Each vertical distance between therotational axis and a pivot point is less than 1.5 times D1.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to theabove-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features mayalso be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the presentdisclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may existindividually or in any combination. For instance, various featuresdiscussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-describedaspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact tool carrier with the loaderin a down position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the compact tool carrier with the loader in adown position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the compact tool carrier with the loader in araised position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mainframe of the compact tool carrier;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mainframe and loader of the compact toolcarrier;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view of the mainframe; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mainframe and an upperframe of the compact tool carrier.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a compact tool carrier is generally referred as “5” inFIG. 1. The compact tool carrier 5 includes a loader 8 supported by amainframe 10. The loader 8 includes an attachment plate 12 forinterchangeably attaching any one of a number of tools (not shown). Inthis regard, such interchangeable tools do not form part of the compacttool carrier 5 unless stated otherwise. The attachment plate 12 isconnected to an actuator 14 for tilting of tools connected to theattachment plate 12. The loader 8 has a first arm 15 a and a second arm15 b generally opposite the first arm 15 a. A cross-member 16 extendsfrom the first arm 15 a to the second arm 15 b. The actuator 14 isconnected to the cross-member 16. Each arm 15 a, 15 b may be a singleweldment or may include various components attached by fasteners (e.g.,nuts and bolts). The first and second arms 15 a, 15 b each include abracket portion 17 a, 17 b (FIG. 1) for fastening various linkages.

As used herein, “compact tool carrier” refers to machines that areself-propelled and are capable of carrying interchangeable equipment andthat generally have a mass (not including the interchangeable tool) ofless than about 1500 kg (about 3307 lb). Use of the term “compact toolcarrier” herein is intended to exclude full size skid steers (e.g.,seat-operated units) due to a large variation in weight, complexity andsize. In some embodiments, the compact tool carrier 5 meets thedefinition of a compact tool carrier provided in ISO 6165 (2012) and SAEJ2752 set forth above, both standards being incorporated herein byreference for all relevant and consistent purposes.

The compact tool carrier 5 includes a longitudinal axis A that isparallel to the direction of travel of the carrier (i.e., parallel toits length). The compact tool carrier 5 is generally longitudinallysymmetrical (i.e., relative to the longitudinal axis A) in that severalcomponents have a corresponding component with the same functionopposite the component (i.e., across the axis A). Correspondingcomponents of the pair may be indicated herein by use of a referencenumber followed by “A” and “B” and may be referred to as a “first”component and a “second” component, respectively. While the compact toolcarrier 5 may be described herein with reference to the components ofone side of the compact tool carrier 5, any component designated by “A”or “B” herein or shown in FIGS. 1-7 includes a corresponding componentwith the same function opposite the component.

The compact tool carrier 5 includes a drive mechanism 18 attached to themainframe 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive mechanism 18 isdirectly mounted (i.e., connected without intermediary parts) to themainframe 10 by way of drive sprocket 22 connected to a hub 26 (FIG. 2).The hub 26 is attached to a shaft (not shown) that extends through adrive opening 30 (FIG. 4) of the mainframe 10. The sprocket 22, hub 26and shaft (not shown) rotate about a rotational axis R (FIG. 5). Asshown, the drive mechanism 18 includes tracks 34. In other embodiments,the drive mechanism 18 includes wheels.

The compact tool carrier 5 includes a control station 36 (FIG. 1) whichmay include controls (not all controls being shown) for propelling thecompact tool carrier 5 forward and/or for raising and lowering theloader 8. The control station 36 may be mounted toward the rear of thecompact tool carrier 5 (i.e., opposite the attachment plate 12) and isgenerally adapted to allow for standing or walk-behind operation. Asused herein, “standing operation” generally refers to operation in whichthe operator stands on a platform attached to the compact tool carrierwhile “walk-behind operation” generally refers to operation in which theoperator stands on the surface supporting the compact tool carrier 5. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the compact tool carrier 5 includes anoperator platform 37 (FIG. 2).

In embodiments in which the compact tool carrier 5 includes an operatorplatform 37 for standing operation, the difference between the height ofthe control station 36 (e.g., as measured from the highest control foroperating the loader or propelling the apparatus forward) and theplatform 37 may be at least about 90 cm (e.g., from about 90 cm to about130 cm). In embodiments in which the operator walks behind the compacttool carrier 5, the control station 36 may be at least about 90 cm(e.g., from about 90 cm to about 130 cm) from the surface supporting thecompact tool carrier. Such a range generally complies with the zones ofcomfort and reach for controls in earth-moving equipment set forth inISO 6682 (2008) as determined from the physical dimensions of operatorsand minimum operator space envelope as set forth in ISO 3411 (2007),both of which are incorporated herein by reference for all relevant andconsistent purposes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control station 36 is attached to anupper frame 39 (FIG. 7) that is attached and supported by the mainframe10. In other embodiments, rather than being integrated as one unit inthe compact tool carrier 5, the control station 36 is separate from thebody (e.g., mainframe) of the carrier and is operated remotely. In suchembodiments, the control station 36 may be wired or may operatewirelessly to propel the carrier 5 and/or raise and lower the loader 8.

The mainframe 10 includes a first side 38 a and a second side 38 bgenerally opposite the first side 38 a. As used herein, the term“mainframe” generally refers to a single weldment to which the loader 8is attached, optionally through one or more pivotal linkages. Themainframe 10 includes bracket portions 40 a, 40 b (FIG. 4) through whichvarious pivot linkages are attached. In the illustrated embodiment, theengine (not shown) and the drive mechanism 18 comprising tracks orwheels are directly connected to the mainframe 10.

The first loader arm 15 a is pivotally connected to the first side 38 aof the mainframe 10, and the second loader arm 15 b is pivotallyconnected to the second side 38 b of the mainframe 10. The loader arms15 a, 15 b and sides 38 a, 38 b of the mainframe 10 each include threepivot points for pivoting the loader 8 relative to the mainframe 10. Thefirst side 38 a of the mainframe 10 includes a forward pivot point P₁(FIG. 5) a rear pivot point P3 and a central pivot point P2 between theforward pivot point P₁ and the rear pivot point P3. Similarly, the firstarm 15 a includes a forward pivot point P4, a rear pivot point P6 and acentral pivot point P5 between the forward pivot point P4 and the rearpivot point P6. The compact tool carrier 5 includes a first forwardlinkage 46 a attached to the first side 38 a of the mainframe 10 at itsforward pivot point P₁ and attached to the first arm 15 a at its forwardpivot point P4. A first rear linkage 50 a is attached to the first side38 a of the mainframe 10 at its rear pivot point P3 and is attached tothe first arm 15 a of the loader 8 at its rear pivot point P6. While thecarrier 5 is shown with two loader linkages 46 a, 50 a on each side ofthe carrier 5, in other embodiments the carrier 5 includes a singlelinkage.

An actuator 54, shown as a hydraulic cylinder, is attached to the firstside 38 a of the mainframe 10 at its center pivot point P2 and isattached to the loader arm 15 a at its center pivot point P5 to raisethe loader 8. The compact tool carrier 5 may include a single actuator54, or, as in other embodiments, a second actuator (not shown) isconnected to the second side 38 b (FIG. 4) of the mainframe 10 and thesecond arm 15 b (FIG. 1). The actuator 54 is powered to raise the loader8 and, in some embodiments, is also powered to lower the loader 8 (asopposed to a one-way actuator lowered by gravity alone).

The second side 38 b (FIG. 4) of the mainframe 10 may include a forwardpivot point and a rear pivot point to which a second forward linkage 46b (FIG. 1) and second rear linkage (not shown) are respectivelyattached. The second arm 15 b may also include a forward pivot point andrear pivot point to which the second forward linkage 46 b and secondrear linkage are attached. In embodiments in which the compact toolcarrier 5 includes a second actuator (not shown), the second side 38 bof the mainframe 10 includes a central pivot point between its forwardpivot point and its rear pivot point, and the second arm 15 b alsoincludes a central pivot point between its forward pivot point and itsrear pivot point. The second cylinder may be attached to the centralpivot point of the second side 38 b of the mainframe 10 and the centralpivot point of the second arm 15 b.

In some embodiments, the first and second ends 38 a, 38 b of themainframe 10 and the first and second loader arms 15 a, 15 b do notinclude more than three pivot points at which the mainframe 10 andloader 8 pivot relative to each other. While the actuator 54 is shown asbeing attached between the other two linkages 46 a, 50 a, in otherembodiments the actuator 54 is forward to both linkages 46 a, 50 a orrearward to both linkages 46 a, 50 a. Further, each side of the carrier5 having an actuator 54 may include a single linkage rather than twolinkages.

In some embodiments, the mainframe 10 is characterized by a relativelylow profile (i.e., the pivot points are positioned relatively low on themainframe allowing its height to be reduced). The rotational axis R(FIG. 5) and the bottom of the compact tool carrier 5 (FIG. 2) areseparated by a distance D1. Generally, the bottom of the compact toolcarrier 5 corresponds to the point at which the drive mechanism 18contacts the surface supporting the compact tool carrier 5. Therotational axis R and the forward pivot point P₁ of the first side 38 aof the mainframe 10 are separated by a vertical distance D2. Therotational axis R and the rear pivot point P3 are separated by avertical distance D3. The rotational axis R and the central pivot pointP2 are separated by a vertical distance D4. Each of D2, D3 and D4 isless than about 1.5 times D1 (1.5×D1). In some embodiments, each of D2,D3 and D4 is less than D1 or even less than about 0.75 times D1(0.75×D1).

The mainframe 10 profile may also be expressed relative to the distanceD5 between the rotational axis R (FIG. 5) and the bottom 57 of themainframe 10. Each of D2, D3 and D4 is less than about twice D5 (2×D5).In some embodiments, each of D2, D3 and D4 is less than about 1.75 timesD5 (1.75×D5) or less than about 1.5 times D5 (1.5×D5). P2 and P3 may berelatively lower than P1 and their distances D3, D4 from the rotationalaxis R may be even less than about 1.25 times D5 (1.25×D5). The distanceD6 between the top 59 of the first side 38 a of the mainframe 10 and thehighest pivot point (P₁ in the illustrated embodiment), is less thanabout 1.5 times D5, less than about D5 or less than about 0.75 times D5.

The second side 38 b (FIG. 1) of the mainframe 10 may have a similarpivot point arrangement. The rotational axis R and the forward pivotpoint of the second side 38 b are separated by a vertical distance D2′(not shown). The rotational axis R and the rear pivot point of thesecond side are separated by a vertical distance D3′ (not shown). Therotational axis R and the central pivot point (if any) of the secondside 38 b of mainframe 10 are separated by a vertical distance D4′ (notshown). Each of D2′, D3′ and D4′ is less than about 1.5 times D1(1.5×D1) or less than D1 or even less than about 0.75 times D1(0.75×D1). The rotational axis R and the bottom of the second side 38 bof the mainframe 10 are separated by a vertical distance D5′ (notshown). Each of D2′, D3′ and D4′ is less than twice D5′ (2×D5′) or lessthan about 1.75 times D5′ (1.75×D5′) or less than about 1.5 times D5′(1.5×D5′). D3′ and D4′ may be even less than about 1.25 times D5′(1.25×D5′). The distance D6′ between the top of the second side 38 b ofthe mainframe 10 and the highest pivot point is less than about 1.5times D5′, less than about D5′ or less than about 0.75 times D5′.

The compact tool carrier 5 includes an engine (not shown) for propellingthe drive mechanism 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the engine may be mounted toan engine bracket 60 that forms part of the mainframe 10. The engine maydrive a hydraulic pump that powers hydraulic motors (not shown) whichdrive the drive mechanism 18 (FIG. 1) and which provide hydraulic powerto actuator 54. The mainframe 10 includes a reservoir 64 for storing andcycling of hydraulic fluid.

Compared to conventional compact tool carriers, embodiments of thecompact tool carrier 5 described above have several advantages. Bypositioning the pivot points relatively low on the mainframe 10, themass of the mainframe 10 and the resulting cost of the carrier 5 may bereduced. Further, such a low-profile mainframe 10 improves visibilityfor the operator and allows the center of gravity of the carrier 5 to belowered which improves its stability. In embodiments in which thecarrier 5 includes an actuator 54 (FIG. 5) for lifting the loader 8 thatis disposed between forward linkage 46 a and a rear linkage 50 a on atleast one side 38 a, 38 b of the mainframe 10, the loader 8 ischaracterized by an travel path in which the loader travels verticallyrather than over a radial path. The vertical travel path of the loader 8is more effective relative to conventional travel paths for compact toolcarriers 5 as the carrier 5 may operate closer to other structures.

As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and“approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions,concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties orcharacteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upperand/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics,including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurementmethodology or other statistical variation.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” “containing” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g.,“top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description anddoes not require any particular orientation of the item described.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methodswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A loader apparatus configured for standingoperator control and comprising: a loader adapted to carry a tool, theloader being moveable between a down position and a vertically raisedposition, the loader comprising: a first loader arm; a second loaderarm; and at least one cross-member that extends from the first loaderarm to the second loader arm; a loader support having a first side and asecond side, the loader being free from direct attachment to the loadersupport; a first actuator for tilting of a tool connected to the loader;a first linkage connected to the first side of the loader support andconnected to the loader, the first linkage being pivotal relative to thefirst side of the loader support; a second linkage connected to thefirst side of the loader support and connected to the loader, the secondlinkage being pivotal relative to the first side of the loader support;a second actuator for raising the loader, the second actuator beingconnected to the loader support and connected to the loader, the secondactuator being directly attached to the loader, the second actuatorbeing pivotal relative to at least the first side of the loader support;a control station having operator controls for propelling the loaderapparatus forward and for raising and lowering the loader; and anoperator platform for standing operation of the operator controls of thecontrol station; a drive mechanism for propelling the loader apparatusover a supporting surface, at least a portion of the operator platformbeing disposed rearward of the drive mechanism relative to alongitudinal axis of the loader apparatus; and wherein the loaderapparatus does not include an operator's seat.
 2. The loader apparatusas set forth in claim 1 wherein the loader support incorporates a singleweldment.
 3. The loader apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein theloader support comprises a lower frame and an upper frame, the controlstation being mounted to the upper frame.
 4. The loader apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein the second actuator is connected to the firstside of the loader support.
 5. The loader apparatus as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the loader apparatus comprises: a third linkageconnected to the second side of the loader support and connected to theloader, the third linkage being pivotal relative to the second side ofthe loader support; a fourth linkage connected to the second side of theloader support and connected to the loader, the fourth linkage beingpivotal relative to the second side of the loader support; and a thirdactuator for raising the loader, the third actuator being connected tothe loader support and connected to the loader, the third actuator beingpivotal relative to at least the second side of the loader support. 6.The loader apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the second actuatoris connected to the first side of the loader support and the thirdactuator is connected to the second side of the loader support.
 7. Theloader apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the first actuator isat least partially disposed between the first loader arm and the secondloader arm; and each cross-member is disposed forward of the operatorplatform relative to a longitudinal axis of the loader apparatus in thevertically raised position of the loader.
 8. The loader apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein the loader apparatus has a mass of less than1500 kg.
 9. The loader apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein theloader apparatus comprises a drive mechanism for propelling the loaderapparatus over a supporting surface, the drive mechanism having a drivesprocket defining a rotational axis R, at least a portion of theoperator platform being disposed rearward to the rotational axis Rrelative to a longitudinal axis of the loader apparatus.
 10. The loaderapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the loader apparatus comprisesa single actuator for tilting of a tool connected to the loader, thefirst actuator being the single actuator.